DETROIT, Mich. – Hillary Bowling missed a game-winning 3-pointer with a second to go as Northern Michigan was defeated by Wayne State, 57-59, Thursday night from Matthaei.

The score was tied at 57 with 43 seconds to go before Lena Thomas made a layup to put the Warriors up by two. Chelsea Lyons had a chance to tie the game with four seconds to go and a jump ball with the possession arrow in favor of NMU, gave the ‘Cats another chance.

“We missed shots all night long,” NMU head coach Troy Mattson said. “Open shots have been a struggle for us this season.”

NMU is 8-12 overall and 3-10 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The 'Cats made only 2-of-17 from the 3-point line and shot 35 percent overall from the field. Staci Beckel led the team in scoring with 17 points.

“Staci played well. They double teamed her late and she kicked it out to open shooters but we just couldn’t make shots.” Mattson said.

Lyons finished with 13 and Erin Powers scored 10 points and had 10 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the season. The ‘Cats pulled down five more rebounds (39-34) than the Warriors.

Wayne State was led in scoring by Deanna Crumpton with a game-high 18. Phaebre Colbert scored 14 as the Warriors shot 42 percent from the floor and 10-for-10 from the free throw line.

The ‘Cats led by as many as seven and the first half and held a slim lead until 16:44 to go in the second half. Wayne State (6-13, 6-7 GLIAC) never let the ‘Cats get back on top.

NMU travels to Findlay Saturday (Feb. 5) for a 3 p.m. game.

Notes: It was Bowling’s first game back since at Grand Valley (Jan. 20) when she injured her arm. Findlay was defeated by Michigan Tech, 75-43, on Thursday night.